Chapter 13: Can You Also Take a Good Shift? (4)

"Huh. What's this?"

A sigh burst from the director's mouth.

Who exactly was Professor Kim Jin-shil, who was reading the X-rays right now?

She was the top expert in the abdominal section of the Imaging Department at Tae-hwa Medical Center, and the person Professor Lee Ha-yeon, who prided herself on being her mentor, was talking about.

She had already published three papers in 'Radiology,' the largest academic journal in the field of imaging.

If this was true, then it was just as true.

The director expressed his admiration that Seohyuk's opinion was correct.

"See? I told you he's a genius? Actinomycosis? Where in the world would you find a first-year resident who can diagnose this? You didn't believe me."

Shin Hyun-tae shrugged at the director as if he had accomplished something.

"Really... What a strange guy, this one?"

The director, who had been raging just yesterday, saying it was impossible, was now just shaking his head.

And he was doing so with a face full of admiration.

While the director was in this half-dazed state, Section Chief Shin turned his phone towards himself and spoke.

"Right, actinomycosis. That makes sense. Then, how do you plan to proceed after admitting the patient?"

At this, the director looked at Shin Hyun-tae with wide eyes.

It was as if he was thinking, "If the diagnosis was correct, that's one thing, but to ask about a treatment plan as well?"

But on the other hand, he was also curious about how far Seohyuk could go.

So he didn't interrupt their conversation, but instead leaned in closer to the phone to hear Seohyuk's response.

"First..."

Seohyuk bought some time with a filler and then tried to start a conversation with Baruda.

Since Baruda's purpose was to nurture Seohyuk, no matter what, he never refused such requests.

He was like a tree that gave without reservation.

Except for the occasional nitpicking.

[Drug treatment is possible. Which antibiotic would you choose?]

Of course, he also had the goal of training, so he didn't give the answer right away.

Fortunately, Seohyuk had access to the data Baruda had accumulated, and with the diagnosis known, finding the treatment method wasn't difficult.

'Penicillin G, or amoxicillin... Amoxicillin would be better.'

Seohyuk thought and guessed, but at the same time sought Baruda's agreement.

[There's no need to risk side effects. It's a good choice.]

Seohyuk immediately spoke about amoxicillin upon Baruda's confirmation.

Now, Section Chief Shin didn't find every detail surprising, as he had high expectations for Seohyuk.

He just took it for granted.

"Right. But what if the patient doesn't respond?"

Instead, he asked an additional question.

At this, the director's eyes widened again, thinking it might be too much.

But he didn't interrupt the conversation between Shin Hyun-tae and Seohyuk.

Instead, he began to slightly revise his evaluation of Seohyuk.

'Maybe he really is a genius. Hmm. Perhaps he really is.'

Though cautious, he wasn't hasty.

"Hmm..."

Seohyuk pretended to be thinking hard.

Even though he already had the answer prepared.

He wanted to heighten the anticipation.

"The probability of responding to drug treatment is 90%. So, 10% will not respond to the medication."

He deliberately mentioned the detailed figures to show off his knowledge.

Naturally, Section Chief Shin's expression became even more gentle, and the director's judgment was also changing.

'Look at this guy.'

Seohyuk, having drawn attention, continued.

"In that case, I think a limited resection of the colon should be performed, specifically in the area where the mass is located. Also, since the possibility of cancer must be considered if the medication doesn't work, a frozen section biopsy should be performed during surgery. Although the possibility of obstruction is almost non-existent, cancer is a disease that cannot be overlooked, so it must be done."

It was a very thoughtful and natural plan.

Especially since he had even considered the possibility that the diagnosis might be incorrect.

This was a part that less experienced internal medicine doctors often overlooked.

It wasn't something a first-year resident, even in March, could do.

"Good."

So, Section Chief Shin nodded very satisfactorily.

The director also nodded.

If he were the attending physician, he would have answered just like Seohyuk.

He didn't feel bad that a mere first-year resident had the same opinion.

He was just endlessly proud.

'Saying the right answer... A first-year... In March. Is this even possible? How did such a guy end up here?'

His thoughts continued even after Section Chief Shin told Seohyuk to admit the patient in his name, do whatever he wanted, and see him on Monday.

"The egg roll is here."

Even though he had said he was hungry, he didn't take his hand off his chin after the food arrived.

His eyes seemed a bit glazed over.

No one else knew, but Section Chief Shin knew very well that it was best not to bother the director when he was like this.

He was clearly deep in thought about something important.

'He used to suddenly write a paper when he was like this. He's not just a genius for nothing.'

The director, Professor Lee Hyun-jong, a professor of cardiology, was known as 'World Star.'

Despite his slightly eccentric behavior, this was the reason he became the director.

It was also the reason he was one of only two endowed professors in the entire large Tae-hwa Medical Center.

'The abstract he wrote back then was probably about how stenting is possible in the left anterior descending artery. It was really absurd.'

At that time, the world firmly believed that when the left anterior descending artery was blocked, the chest had to be opened for surgery.

Not just in Korea, but the entire world believed this.

But the director, Lee Hyun-jong, standing right in front of him, overturned this belief.

With that paper, the director became an instant star and completely changed all the textbooks.

So, Section Chief Shin handed half of the egg roll to Professor Kim Jin-shil without cutting it.

"Does your department have any first-year residents like Seohyuk, who are monsters?"

He asked a question to avoid awkwardness.

"No, not really... There are plenty of kids who don't listen."

At this, Professor Kim laughed and shook her head.

While many smart people were entering the popular field of imaging, none of them were at the level of Seohyuk, whom she had just spoken to.

She fiddled with the egg roll for a moment, then, perhaps feeling a bit disappointed, raised her hand to order makgeolli.

"Would you like some, Professor?"

"No, I can't hit the ball if I drink."

"Understood."

Although she usually stopped drinking when she was alone, Professor Kim Jin-shil ordered makgeolli and started drinking it in one go.

'They say if you get into trouble in school, you can't even collect your bones. Is this what they meant?'

Professor Shin Hyun-tae, who didn't drink well and didn't enjoy it, felt grateful for his seniority as he finished the egg roll.

It wasn't particularly tasty, but each small egg roll cost over 20,000 won.

Although he didn't need to save such things, he still forced himself to eat it.

"Hmm."

The director finally took his hand off his chin when Section Chief Shin had finished the egg roll and was sipping a 10,000 won, tasteless iced coffee.

"Senior, let's get up now. We need to play golf."

Section Chief Shin patted the director's shoulder and looked at the caddy waiting with a bored expression.

The caddy was about to move to the cart, but the director shook his head.

"Is the ball that important to you? We have a rare talent in our department now."

"What are you talking about all of a sudden? You called him crazy yesterday."

"But after seeing him today, he's not."

"What? Don't beat around the bush. Get up."

He tried to ignore Section Chief Shin, who was pulling his arm.

The expression on Section Chief Shin's face became very strange.

"Wow... Really... Are you afraid of losing the bet?"

Kim Jin-shil just laughed it off.

These two were among the most skilled in Tae-hwa Medical Center, second to none.

They were single players who could play with pros, so it was a given.

As is typical with skilled golfers, money usually changed hands.

"Hey, speak sensibly. Would I do this for a mere bet?"

"Then why are you doing this? We need to hurry and play! If the next team comes, we'll be pushed back!"

"This guy always mixes formal and informal speech when money is involved. I'm the director, you know!"

"Wow... What kind of director plays bet golf?"

"Hey. It's not like that, okay? Seohyuk, that guy."

"Stop making excuses for Seohyuk."

"No, no. Sit down for a moment. It's really important."

"Important? Bullshit..."

Section Chief Shin grumbled but sat opposite the director.

Since Lee Hyun-jong was one of the people he liked the most, regardless of position.

"What is it?"

"This time... There's a case discussion, right? The Tae-hwa monthly case discussion."

The Tae-hwa monthly case discussion was similar to a conference.

Not just the internal medicine department of Tae-hwa Medical Center, but all nearby internal medicine departments participated.

It was more like a lecture than a discussion.

"Right. Wait... You don't mean...?"

"What if Seohyuk presents this case?"

"Really?"

Shin Hyun-tae thought it was obviously a joke.

After all, case discussion presentations were usually given by at least third-year residents, typically fellows.

"Why are you so surprised? You were the one who mentioned it first."

"At that time... I thought you would say it was impossible."

"No, no. I think he can do it. We need to nurture such talent."

"Wow... You're serious, aren't you, sir?"

"Right. I'll contact the other department heads."

After saying this, Director Lee Hyun-jong got up as if he had something very urgent to do.

Section Chief Shin, who had been dazed, only realized what had happened after the director left the pavilion.

"Hey, where are you going! We need to finish the bet!"

"Is the bet important? Is the game important? That's why you haven't published a paper in the 'NEJM' yet."

"Why do you always dig into other people's sore spots! Stand up! Hey!"

"See you on Monday."

"Hey! Lee Hyun-jong! You bastard!"